The Breitling Watch Source Forums

The yellow dial looks awesome. Nice watch.

Does anyone know why the switch from TI to SS. The original seawolf TI (which I have) was touted as an engineering feet and TI was listed a a choice due to weigh and ant-corrosive properties. Personally I have always felt the TI was a higher end/exotic metal that steel, and it was what drove me to purchase this model which is my only Breitling.

I personally like the light weight feel of such a large watch, I also like the face of the original much better that the re-model.

Still why SS?

Does Breitling plan on phasing out all use of TI?

The short answer is that I don't know why Breitling have changed from titanium to steel for the Seawolf. I can only guess that maybe ti isn't as popular these days with the current trend being towards heavier and shinier watches. Ti has always looked quite "industrial" and "tool", and you really can see the difference in an AD's shop window when you have brushed ti models next to shiny steel ones. I guess they just weren't selling as well.

There may also be a cost element as I believe ti is slightly harder to work with, so perhaps the return Breitling were getting from selling fewer numbers of ti watches didn't justify the outlay any more.

Personally I like big heavy watches so I quite like the change, but for you titanium fans I guess it's a bit of a blow.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

One thing that would be really interesting is to get Breitling to make a watch out of Tantalum.

There are all sorts of strange metals out there, but tantalum is heavily used in the process industry as well as titanium and steel, so supply and processability shouldn't be a problem.

Tantalum is also darker than titanium, with a blue-grayish tone. If you consider the difference in color between steel and titanium, the same color difference would apply between titanium and tantalum. It would almost be as having a Blacksteel, but in pure material and not as a coating. That would make it much more safe against scratches destroying the coating.

Tantalum is also heavy, approximately twice as heavy as steel (while titanium is just above half the weight of steel), so it would suit the urge for heavy watches.

And finally, tantalum is about twice as expensive as titanium, which would make it a valuable (read limited) piece.

I'm in - anyone else for a Tantalum SA?

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I actually posted a thread when I first joined this forum about how much I'd like to see some pieces in different metals - tantalum being one of them. I would love to see a polished tantalum Navi World or similar.... including the bracelet! Mmmmm... awesome! Panerai do one or two models in tantalum and Omega used very small amounts of tantalum in the bracelet of their TT titanium Seamaster a few years ago. It's a lovely colour metal.

I would also like to see something made in tungsten mainly for it's incredible scratch resistance, but also because it is slightly darker than steel but holds a brilliant shine. Again, tungsten is a very heavy metal and tough to work with, but the look would be amazing.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Can't argue with tantalum or tungsten (although an all tantalum watch may be a bit too heavy), but also have to throw palladium into the mix - having seen some of the UN palladium 950s it's a great look!

I can also confirm that its brushed just like the steelfish. My AD had a yellow dial one and it looked really good. The posted pictures colors are off..the real one looks much better. I dont doubt that it will sell well.

You know, I kind of like it. The only drawback for me is the obvious 'stencil' numerals making it look very close to the Skyland.

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Breitling Blackbird, Breitling Superocean Heritage 38

Nice pictures. Looks more brushed to me

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Breitling for Bentley Motors
Breitling Navitimer World
Breitling Super Avenger Black Steel LE 3000
Breitling for Bentley GMT Midnight Carbon Black Steel LE 1000
Hublot Big Bang Aero Bang Steel
"You gotta pay to play..."

I would vote for a SA using Tantalum. Hublot is producing a beautiful watch right now using this metal. Since Breitling has been offering limited edition black steel watches recently in their line up. I wouldn't doubt they have something in the works using Tantalum.

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- Nathan
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Breitling Avenger Skyland (Black)

A tantalum SA - that would be one heavy watch!!!

Yeah, but how cool would it be!

Personally I'd love to see an LE polished tantalum Navitimer of some description with the full 7 row bracelet. That'd look superbly different to anything currently on the market. Or maybe even a TT tantalum/steel piece....

Come on Breitling R&D boys! Wear the "radical thinking hat" once in a while!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Yeah, when any position for Breitling R&D comes up, I'll post my application.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Yah, I'm not going to lie about secretly wishing I worked for Breitling in some fashion. Maybe it's a good thing I am not in front of Breitling watches every day. I would probably be tempted to spend all my paycheck. I'm sure they get a nice discount though?

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- Nathan
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Breitling Avenger Skyland (Black)

I have a feeling with this new Seawolf they will eventually discontinue with Steelfish.. it makes that watch somewhat redundant.

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